FAMILY and friends of a young man tragically killed in a double fatal road crash held a fundraising night in his memory to help buy vital lifesaving equipment.

FAMILY and friends of a young man tragically killed in a double fatal road crash held a fundraising night in his memory to help buy vital lifesaving equipment.

Darren Welton, 20, of Kelsale, near Saxmudham, died following a collision on the A145 at Henham on January 23 last year.

On Saturday family and friends packed out Martlesham Village Hall to help raise money to buy a ventilator at the James Paget University Hospital.

The night - which included a meal, party games, karaoke and live music - was organised by Mr Welton's cousin, Lucy Norfolk, a 27-year-old receptionist from Badingham.

She said: “It was brilliant. Around 70 people came along and I think we raised nearly £350 - although we are still counting.

“Darren would have been so proud. I'd like to say a big thank-you to everyone who came along but especially Dan Peek, who compered the night and my mum, Lynnette Moore, who helped with most of the food.”

Mr Welton's family are hoping to raise £17,000 through the Darren Welton Charity to buy a Monsoon ventilator for the intensive care unit of the James Paget, in Gorleston, where he died following the crash.

So far the family have raised £5,000 toward the machine - which will help keep punctured lungs inflated while surgeons carry out lifesaving operations - and another event is planned for his birthday in June.

The accident also claimed the life of his friend Samuel Fordham, 28, from Saxmundham.